Miami Dispatch

Art Basel kicks off today just in time to enjoy all the art, the pop-up events, gallery exhibitions, and for us New Yorkers, a chance to unwind from the stresses of the impending holidays. Think of it as your getaway car for a few days.

Despite all the parties, dinners, receptions, store openings, product launches and celebrity sightings there are to be had at Art Basel Miami Beach, there is also one important thing that I like to remind everybody every year: GO AND SEE SOME ART!  Stop by the convention center for the main event, go to one of the satellite fairs, visit a local museum or private collection and you can also support the artists by picking up something cool to take home.

This year there will be over 350 galleries and over 50,000 visitors that will flood the state, and it just keeps getting bigger and traffic sucks. In other words, there’s no sleeping. And once you step foot in that Miami heat. its hard to huddle over a laptop and work. Trust.

1. TO SEE

I will definitely be checking out this Louis Vuitton exhibit at Design Miami.

2. TO WATCH

Miley Cyrus (yes, her) is performing at the Raleigh Hotel (1175 Collins Avenue, South Beach) on Wednesday, December 3rd, 11 p.m., for a big party hosted by Jeffrey Deitch, Tommy Hilfiger (the hotel’s new owner) and V Magazine and sponsored by M.A.C, Samsung, Golden Lady and Dom Perignon.

3. TO WEAR 

For what to wear to the ultra-hip art scene in Miami this week, I checked the weather and it is going to be postcard perfect. Sorry, I’m not sorry. If you want to be noticed at Art Basel, good luck. Everybody from all over the world will be wearing their coolest things; only the most secure of us will ignore the fashion sirens. During this week, we are all artists. Accessorize wisely and think, “I don’t always do galleries, but when I do, I prefer to dress the part.” Sneakers are mandatory. So are culottes. Here’s my suitcase.

Ray-Ban sunnies / Saint Laurent fringe earrings / Henri Bendel iPhone case on a string / Aesop jet set travel kit / Costume National blouse / Tibi culottes / Golden Goose sneakers / T by Alexander Wang muscle T-shirt / A.P.C. tote bag / Red Valentino sandals

4. PARKING ADVICE

Take a bike or pray.

For a more in depth peek on where the parties are not exclusive, see Racked list on the hot spots you can get into.

Happy Baseling!